Key Stage 4 STEM resources and activities

Energy island

In this three episode scheme of work, students will learn about the challenges and opportunities of using renewable energy technology in a particular context.

• Episode 1: Students will consider why an island might want to become self-sufficient, the different ways of doing this, and the challenges that may arise.
• Episode 2: Students will use the Energy Island interactive game to design and test their own renewable energy supply system for an island.
• Episode 3: Students will decide on a certain energy supply system for the island, weighing up different factors such as cost, pollution and energy supply, as well as having to justify their decision.
• Energy Island Scheme of Work
• Energy Island Worksheet
• Energy Island Lesson Plan

Electromagnetic waves and MRI scanners

In this resource, students will learn about how MRI scanners use electromagnetic waves to produce images. Students will aim to write and discuss how images are produced through MRI scans, and suggest the different ways in which these images are useful to medical practitioners.

• A Peep Inside Scheme of Work
• A Peep Inside Worksheet
• A Peep Inside Lesson Plan

Rattle and hum

Explore how accoustics, sound waves and frequencies are used in rail technology to understand the performance of train axel bearings. This resource provides an example of how scientific concepts can lead to technological advancements.

• Ringing True Scheme of Work
• Ringing True Lesson Plan

Here comes the sun

This resource encourages students to explore the difference between energy generation from internal combustion generators, in comparison to photovoltaic (PV) cells.Students will aim to:

• Understand the process of energy transfer
• Understand how PV cells and internal combustion generators provide energy
• Compare the advantages and disadvantages of each technology
• Here Comes the Sun Scheme of Work
• Here Comes the Sun Worksheet
• Here Comes the Sun Lesson Plan
• Here Comes the Sun Video 1

Now hear this

In this resource, students will learn about loudness, frequency and the process of hearing. They will aim to explain how the human ear works and responds to different sound intensities and frequencies. Finally, students will be challenges to develop a design for a hearing aid, demonstrating how it allows for a range of design requirements.

• Now Hear This Scheme of Work
• Now Hear This Worksheet
• Now Hear This Lesson Plan

Energy efficiency

This module guides students to analyse different lighting technologies.Students will aim to:

• Use Sankey diagrams to illustrate the energy effiency of different lightbulbs
• Evaluate the social impacts of different lighting technologies
• Conduct a cost-benefit analysis for different lighting technologies
• Design a reflector for a bulb to produce even illumination over a given area
• I can see clearly now scheme of work
• I can see clearly now worksheet
• I can see clearly now lesson plan

Tidal energy

This resource introduces students to tidal energy as a form of renewable energy. Students will be encouraged to understand the potential of tidal energy as a sustainable energy source; evaluate the contribution that tidal energy may make to society; and finally, present a reasoned and justified case for tidal energy.

• Underwater Energy Scheme of Work
• Underwater Energy Lesson Plan
• Tidal Video

Inspired bus company

This resource introduces the opportunities and challenges of designing a bus with a lower environmental impact for an urban environment.Students will analyse the key contextual requirements and factors to be considered when designing a bus; learn about the various power sources for a bus; understand energy transfer and loss in this context; and finally, work in teams to develop proposals and present solutions for fuel systems for buses for The Inspired Bus Company.

• Inspired Bus Company Scheme of Work
• Inspired Bus Company Worksheet
• Inspired Bus Company Lesson Plan
• Leon's London

Totally in control

This resource introduces students to the features of a system; input, process and output. Students must identify how sequences of commands can be used to run equipment and how logic operation can respond to inputs and control outputs.The activity creates context and stimulates discussion with an example of control systems on fairground rides.

• Lesson Plan
• Scheme of Work
• Student Support Sheet

A case to resolve

This resource explores how systems are developed to generate solutions to problems. Drawing in ideas about waves, light and X-rays students must apply their wider knowledge with logic to analyse outcomes from a process.The activity creates context and stimulates discussion with an example of airport baggage handling where such systems are in place.

• Student Support Sheet
• Lesson Plan
• Scheme of Work

Digital Industries

Explore our Digital Industries resources which introduce key areas of the Siemens business:

• Cybersecurity
• Internet of Things
• Digital Twins

This resource supports careers and digital skills as well as important human skills for future jobs.

Explore

Formula For Thrills

This resource encourages students to imagine how real-life mathematical thinking is used by the engineers, designers, mechanics and planners whose job it is to entertain and thrill people, whilst also keeping them safe and at theme parks.

• Teachers Notes and Worksheet
• Answer Sheet
• Formula For Thrills Interactive Game

Green racers

This resource requires students to consider the design implications from pursuing sustainable goals and how the application of scientific ideas can lead to technological developments which change the way people think and behave.

• Lesson Plan
• Scheme of Work
• Student Support Sheer

Keeping it lean and mean

This resource explores the characteristics of production systems and considers how one can make it more efficient. Students learn to understand the principles of "lean" and "just-in-time" production.

• Lesson Plan
• Scheme of Work
• Student Support Sheet
• Lean Machines Interactive Game

Sustainability

Developed by Ben Hazzard of Burnage Media Arts College, this lesson plan and associated activities aim to provide pupils with an opportunity to understand sustainability and what is required for a company to become sustainable.The pupils will be asked to:

• Analyse current companies/products and evaluate their sustainability
• Student Support Sheet
• Sustainability at Siemens
• Lesson Plan